Page 44 of The Ninja Prince and the Investigator

“Thank you.” She shook his hand and smiled more warmly.

“Derek.” Henry shook his hand. “Wonderful to have you back.”

“Thank you. We’re thrilled to be here.” He looked to Ellery. She didn’t look too thrilled at the moment.

There was an awkward silence.

“Ellery?” his dad asked softly. “Were you injured in the crash?”

“No, thank you for asking. I’m just embarrassed that I wrecked your car, and I’m a mess.” She gestured to her white-coated dress. She looked at Derek’s dad and her lip quivered. “Sir, I am terribly sorry about your car. I will pay for any damages.”

Derek’s own eyes widened. “Elle.” It came out almost as a reprimand.

She glanced up at him, and her soft lips tightened. Her green eyes held a challenge, similar to right before they were about to compete but then she’d cheer for him as she always did.

“Elle,” he tried again, more softly. “The crash was all on me. I should’ve instructed you better and then I distracted you. The car is the least of any of our worries.” He gestured toward his dad and T. “I’m sure it’ll be an easy fix. Just the air bags and maybe the front fender.”

She’d been worried about crashing before his driving lesson, and now she was embarrassed and trying to pay for damages. He respected her independence and sense of responsibility, but from what he’d seen, she could barely afford to take care of her mom and all the medical bills. If she hadn’t received that commercial offer right before they came, he knew she wouldn’t have come to Augustine. She wouldn’t ever accept handouts from him, and sometimes he wondered if that was why she’d turned down every dinner invite. He didn’t have any answers to that, but she was not paying for that car.

“I’m betting it was one of Curt’s cars anyway, and he loves the challenge of fixing something up,” her dad said.

Ellery stared at the king, her mouth opening slightly.

“Or maybe it was Steffan’s car,” T said, his blue eyes glinting with humor. “He won’t need it for a while.”

“I’m betting it was Macey’s car.” The prime minister took up the joke. “I’ve never seen a young lady who loves vehicles like that one.Shemight be upset at you, and that girl can throw a mean punch.” He grinned to show Ellery they were teasing. “But just challenge her to a salmon ladder climb and you should be in the clear.”

“I can’t … you don’t even know whose car it was?” Ellery demanded.

T spread his hands wide. “We each claim one or two of the vehicles, but they’re all fair game. The garage is open for any of the family and even some of our friends, except Henry.” He winked at the prime minister. His face crinkled with his smile, but the scars on the left side didn’t move. “Unless it was Pops’ Lamborghini Aventador that you took for a spin. He does love that car. Almost as much as he loves me.”

The king laughed. “Not true. I have five other sons. You I could replace. That car …” He shrugged. “They stopped making them, you see.”

Everyone but Ellery laughed loudly at that. She tried to give them a smile, but it came out very tight. As the laughter died, she said in a very solemn tone, “Please. I have to pay for the damages, or at least your insurance deductible. Please.”

Derek had never met someone as fiercely independent as Ellery. It was one of the many things he admired about her, but how in the world did she imagine she could afford to pay for the car, and how could he convince her it wasn’t her fault and none of them were going to hold her responsible?

“Elle…” He scrambled to think what to say to convince her to not worry about it.

“Ellery.” The king spoke softly and stepped closer to her. “You are our honored guest and my son’s girlfriend. You are much, much more important to me than any car. If you had totaled my Lamborghini, I would still feel the same. Please push any worry about cost or a wrecked vehicle from your mind. The cars are all insured, and the deductible is not a stress. We’re only concerned that you weren’t injured. Please just enjoy your time here and know how much we appreciate you for coming and that we all want you to feel comfortable and welcome.”

Ellery stared at him for half a beat. Her green eyes were bright, and Derek suspected more tears were coming. He felt a burst of love for his father and for her. Could she let the wreck go and feel comfortable and welcome?

“Thank you, sir,” she whispered.

“Nolan, please.”

“Thank you, Nolan.”

“Of course.” He smiled and then gestured slightly with his head, obviously knowing Ellery was seconds from breaking down. “We’ll see you both at dinner.”

“Take care,” Henry said.

T raised a hand to both of them, and all three men descended the stairs.

Ellery looked at Derek, turned, and ran up the steps. He pumped up them after her. She was not okay. Had his dad’s words helped like he thought they had? What was going on? Of course the wreck was unnerving, but he hoped she could let it go and not let it taint the rest of their time here. They reached the fifth level and she speed-walked down the hallway, not looking at him. Derek wracked his brain to think of how to help her, what to say.

They reached her suite door, and she grasped the handle but stopped. Glancing quickly at him, she said, “Do you mind if I skip dinner tonight? It’s been a busy day.”

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